Contents

Understand

With a population of around 5,600, Stornoway ( Steòrnabhagh ) is the largest town in the Outer Hebrides and also its admistrative center. with approximately 5,600 people. Almost 30% of the total population of the Western Isles, some 8,000 people, live within Stornoway or the immediately vicinity encompassing Laxdale (Lacasdal) and Sandwick (Sanndabhaig).

The church has a significant influence on Stornoway life. Almost everything is closed on Sunday, but things have eased in recent years: there are now flights on Sundays (but still no travel by boat), a petrol station and a few bars and restuarants are now open.

Do

Buy

Stornoway is the only place in the Outer Hebrides where you will find a selection of shops like in a mainland town. There are both multiples (Boots, Woolworths etc) and several independent stores including bakers, a bookshop and an ironmongers. The local delicacy is Stornoway Black Pudding. All shops are closed on Sunday except for Engebretsen's petrol station ( open 12pm-4pm ) with a limited selection of groceries.

Co-op 8 Macaulay Road, Stornoway HS1 2HU. Open Mon-Sat 8:00 - 22:00. The largest supermarket in the Outer Hebrides. Also a smaller store in the centre of town in Cromwell Street.

Somerfield Ferry Road, Stornoway HS1 2QY. Supermarket has now closed in preparation for Tesco to open in its place.

Eat

Most places to eat in Stornoway serve until 9pm with the exception of the Stornoway Balti House which serves until after 10pm. Scanned takeaway menus from a selection of the locals takeaways

Drink

Stornoway has a high density of pubs which reflect the absence of them around the rest of the island. Around half of them open on Sunday and the licensing hours are generally till 11pm on weeknights and up until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays.

Only HS1 ( Bar/restaurant in the Royal Hotel ) offers Cocktails. The Carlton Lounge ( formerly known as the Whalers Rest ) usually offers 2 cask ales, the only bar in Lewis to do so.

There is a local brewery in Stornoway, the Hebridean Brewing Company which offers 3 different types of bottled ale which can be found in some of the bars around Stornoway. There are locally branded whiskies available but they are not manufactured locally.

Hostels

Bed and Breakfasts

Some can be found on the tourist board website [2], but many are no longer listed due to the charges and "hassle".

Newly opened, the finest place to stay in the Hebrides is just 10 minutes to the north of Stornoway - Broad Bay House [3] is the islands only 5* serviced accommodation, and has a superb beachside location and Eat Scotland award winning dining. Broad Bay House is currently rated as the top rated B&B / guest house in the whole of the Hebrides on Tripadvisor, and has set new standards for guest accommodation in the Western Isles.

One of the most popular but not the cheapest is 4 star Braighe House [4]just on the outskirts of Stornoway and within minutes of the airport.

Hotels

The Caladh Inn, Royal Hotel and Cabarfeidh Hotel are all run by the local Cala Hotels chain.